Use of Dealer/Manufacturer/Loaner & Laden Plates

Idaho Code 49-1627 & 49-1628 provides for the display of these plates in lieu of registrations by persons licensed under the dealer law.

Lawful Use of Dealer/Manufacturer Plates

Manufacturer and dealer plates may be used on vehicles operated by the manufacturer or dealer, or his licensed vehicle salesman, in connection with the manufacturer's or dealer's business.

A dealer plate may be used on a vehicle assigned for personal use on a full-time basis to the retail dealer or licensed full-time salesman. Wholesale dealers cannot use for personal use.

A dealer plate may be used for not more than ninety-six (96) hours on a vehicle in the possession of a prospective purchaser, providing that after normal business hours the purchaser has a letter of authorization from the dealer.

A dealer plate may be used by a licensed part-time salesman on a vehicle that is offered for sale only to demon¬strate the vehicle to a prospective purchaser.

A dealer plate may be used by other employees or authorized persons not licensed as a vehicle salesman when testing the mechanical operation of a vehicle or for the necessary operation in pursuance of the dealer's business, including the delivery and pickup of vehicles owned or purchased by the manufacturer or dealer.

A dealer plate may be used on a laden trailer in connection with a manufacturer’s or dealer’s business to move vehicles or trailers from manufacturer to dealer, dealership to dealership, or dealership to a licensed off-site location in promotion of the dealer’s business as long as the power unit is properly licensed under Chapter 4, Title 49, Idaho Code.*

Identification to Be Carried When Operating a Vehicle with a Dealer/Manufacturer Plate

Each licensed manufacturer, dealer and salesman is issued an identification card by Dealer Operations that must be carried when operating vehicles displaying dealer plates. The sponsoring dealership for the salesman must be the same as that identified by the dealer plate.

Liability insurance card

Each non-licensed employee of a dealership operating a vehicle displaying a dealer plate shall have in his possession an identification card from the dealership authorizing the operation of the vehicle.

Unlawful Use of Dealer/Manufacturer Plates

On work and service vehicles not held in stock for sale.

On leased or rented vehicles owned by the licensed manufacturer/dealer.

On laden vehicles designed for transportation of cargo that may have not complied with Idaho Code 49-434 (Mileage Tax).
*Does not include transportation of dealer inventory. (See Lawful Use section above.)

On vehicles that have been sold.

On vehicles operated in conjunction with any other business.

On vehicles operated for personal use by a wholesale dealer, part-time salesman, unlicensed employees or unlicensed family members.

Lawful Use of Loaner Plates (May Be Used on Vehicles Held in Stock for Sale)

On vehicles loaned to a customer of a dealership while the customer's vehicle is being repaired.

On vehicles operated by the dealer or his family for personal use.

On vehicles used for furtherance of the dealership business.

Identification to Be Carried When Operating a Vehicle with a Loaner Plate

The registration document issued with the loaner plate must be carried in the vehicle to which the plate is attached.

Department-issued dealer/salesman identification must be carried by those individuals when using the plate.

Liability insurance card

An authorizing document from the dealer showing the user's and dealership's names, the number on the plate, the dates of authorized use, and the dealer's signature must be in the dealer customer's possession when using the plate while waiting for their vehicle to be repaired.

Unlawful Use of Loaner Plates

On work or service vehicles not held in stock for sale.

On leased or rented vehicles owned by the licensed dealer.

On laden vehicles designed for transportation of cargo that may have not complied with Idaho Code 49-434 (Mileage Tax).

On vehicles that have been sold.

On vehicles used by the licensee for furtherance of another business.

On vehicles used for personal use by licensed salesman or other non-licensed employees of the dealership.

On vehicles for which the dealer does not have legal ownership.

On vehicles being operated by an actual purchaser.

Lawful use of Laden Dealer/Manufacturer Plates

May only be used on power unit vehicles in the dealer/manufacturer’s inventory for sale

Limited use to move vehicles from a manufacturer to a dealer, from a dealership to dealership, to and from auctions, or from a dealership to off-site sale locations in furtherance of the dealer/manufacturer’s business.